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Santa Ana River Trail

Start your ride at the beach and head toward the mountains on this superb multi-purpose trail for all ages & abilities.

Rating: 5 out of 5 by EveryTrail members

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 24 miles

Duration: Full day

Family Friendly

Overview :
You would think that traveling from the beaches of Huntington and Newport to the Chino Hills would be a tough workout. But... more » surprisingly, the elevation climb of west to east was easier than vice-versa. But more on that later.

The best route for starting this trail is from the Huntington Beach Trail to Weir Canyon Road. You will notice very little difference, exertion-wise, when going either way on the trail due to the winds usually blowing west to east. So you’ve got elevation gain going west to east, but you’re bucking headwinds going east to west. So it’s a wash.

Even on the weekend, this trail isn’t nearly as crowded as its sister trail, the Huntington Beach Trail. But if you want a relaxing and leisurely journey, your best bet is to ride the trail on a weekday. Either way, you’ll love the fact that you don’t have to spend any time crossing or riding on a road. The trail burrows under all roads as it wends eastward towards the source of the Santa Ana River.

Since the elevation change is nearly imperceptible, you can enjoy the Santa Ana River Trail with nearly any non-motorized mode of transportation. It is quite enjoyable on foot, by bike, on a recumbent, a Trikke (best going east to west), a 3G Stepper, or inline skates. The most common type of bike found along the trail was a simple one-speed cruiser followed closely by road bikes, then mountain bikes. People seemed equally comfortable on all three. The cruiser works especially nice if you plan to combine the Santa Ana Trail with the Huntington Beach Trail.

Each trail has its defining characteristics and the abundance of flowers alongside the trail was one of the outstanding characteristics of this particular trail. This is especially true in the spring where reds and yellows line the trail with drought-tolerant floral arrangements climbing the walls and hugging the ground. A true botanist would delight in noticing the change in flower varieties from the coastal type along the beach trail to the inland flowers found further east.

Another interesting feature found the length of the trail is the channel of the Santa Ana River. For those of us used to seeing rivers in their wild state, the Santa Ana riverbed is a stark and interesting change of scenery. To control flooding the riverbed has been channelized to the extreme with large portions of the riverbed completely encased in concrete.

Finally, numerous parks, side-trails, and nature centers dot the landscape of the trail providing resting spots and wonderful diversions. One children’s play area, called Moon Park, even has a replica of the moon for kids to play on. It comes complete with craters and a simulated lunar surface. Of course this is in addition to the abundance of playground structures found at many of the parks. And for the weak of bladder and strong of thirst, there are numerous restrooms and drinking fountains along the path.

One of the finest and most unique characteristics of the Santa Ana River Trail is its proximity to the seashore areas of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. If you get too hot, want to play in the surf, or just have a craving for a corndog and milkshake, you can just head on down to the ocean for a complete change of pace and scenery. It’s also nice to have lots of options for rental bikes and other trail toys that are found at the beachside stands in the two oceanfront towns.

Whether you’re a hard-core road biker or a laid-back cruiser, you should find the trail of your dreams in these southern California communities. less «

Tips:
- Rent a cruiser bike in Newport Beach or Huntington Beach.
- Try this trail in the spring if you want to see miles and miles of... more » colorful blooms along the path.
- A little courtesy goes a long way. Gently notify other trail users that you will be passing them by an "on your left" or a short ring of your handlebar bell.
- You will find numerous clean drinking fountains along the route, but pack water anyway, just to make sure you have plenty. Shade is scarce on this trail. You will find one convenience store along the trail for re-provisioning. less «

Points of Interest

1. Huntington Beach Trail meets...

Santa Ana River Trail

2. Talbert Marsh Trail junction

A short trail called the Talbert Marsh Trail heads north from here to Brookhurst Drive.
Prior to this point, the Santa Ana River Trail begins near the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The trail takes off from the Huntington Beach Trail.
Both the Santa Ana Trail and the Huntington Beach Trail are sometimes (and on some maps) referred to as &quot... More;bikeways" rather than trails.Less

3. Cross trail bridge to stay on Santa Ana River trail

4. Adams Ave. access trail

You will notice many side trails to explore off of the Santa Ana River Trail. On your first trip, you may want to stick to the main trail, then explore the tributary trails on future trips.

5. Exit to Talbert Park Costa Mesa

Beware of merging traffic from the side trails.

6. Modern jungle of power

A grove of power lines provide power to the valley and an interesting contrast to the trees and flowers along the trail.

7. Ditch crossing to adjacent trail

I haven't had a chance to explore this trail, but according to one of the users that I spoke with, it goes all the way to the bay. If you get a chance to try it, let me know.

8. Moon Park

Okay now this park is small but very cool. If you've ever wanted to walk on the moon, here's your chance. Just take one giant step for mankind onto the replica moon surface complete with craters and lunar look.

9. MacArthur underpass and street access

You will find dozens of trail access points including those located at most of the major street crossings. However, you will not always find trailhead parking at all of the street crossings.
I have included a link to a web page with all of the Santa Ana River Trailheads by county.
Some Orange County trailheads include: Huntington Beach State Park,... More Fairview Park, Talbert Nature Preserve, Moon Park, Riverdale Park (Where you may see Archie and the gang.), and Yorba Regional Park.Less

10. Harbor Blvd underpass

You will recognize Harbor Blvd. as the street the runs near Disneyland. You will find street/trail access at this underpass.

11. 1st Street underpass

You will find many different flower displays along the Santa Ana River trail, especially during the spring. Near the 1st Street underpass, you will come across one of the first of many climbing floral displays adorning the trailside fences.

12. Santa Ana College

SAC is located near the trail and offers degrees in such high demand courses as nursing and fire technology. A link to the college is provided with this trail guide.

13. rest area and trail facilities

Throughout the length of the trail, you will find numerous wonderful and clean rest areas that often include restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking fountains. You will also find parks with play structures, side trails, and shady areas.

14. River View Golf Course

If you notice a high fence with lots of lush landscaping on the other side, you've probably figured out that you're following along the edges of a golf course during this stretch of the trail.

15. Garden Grove Blvd.

If you are hungry or just want to take a trail break, this trail access point is one of the few that has restaurants available.

This trail has not one, but two major sports venues right along its border. And both the Angel Stadium and Honda Center are easily accessed from the trail.

19. Trail switches back...

then crosses the bridge and continues across the river.

20. Rest area...

... with bathrooms, picnic tables, and drinking fountains.

21. Lincoln Ave...

...has a small trailhead parking area.

22. Circle K convenience store

This little store is a life-saver when you're hungry and thirsty. It is located directly off the trail and much easier to see when you're going west to east. You will find a small access trail with a gate that allows you to enter the store parking lot.
Stock up here, because there aren't many other places along the trail.

23. Imperial Woods Trail

Another fine side trail leads by a plant nursery and offers a shaded area for weary travelers.

24. Imperial Highway

The trail passes under the Imperial Highway and then crosses the river at this point. At this point, you are not too far from Keno's Restaurant and the Anaheim Hills Bike Shop.

25. Park with benches, playgrounds and rest rooms

If you are going as far as S. Weir Canyon Road and turning around to head back down, then this is a great resting spot. You will find bathrooms, playgrounds, benches, picnic tables, and plenty of shade at this nice (fairly large) park.

26. Weir Canyon

This is a good place to turn around and make tracks back to the beaches. Eventually, this trail is scheduled to unravel all the way to the mountains and provide over 100 miles of continuous trail.

27. Birds

All along the trail, you will see a variety of birds from ospreys to seagulls.

28. Flower lovers rejoice!!

If you enjoy gazing at flowers, then you'll love this trail... especially in the spring. From red flowers clinging to towering fences to yellow flowers belly-crawling along the ground to commercial nurseries overflowing with tropical-looking dazzlers, you'll find them all as you make your way from ocean to mountains.

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